Effects of high-dose propofol on succinylcholine-induced fasciculations and myalgia

Authors: Kararmaz A.; Kaya S.; Turhanoglu S.; Ozyilmaz M.A.

Source: Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica, Volume 47, Number 2, February 2003 , pp. 180-184(5)

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Abstract:

Background:

The purpose of this prospective study was to determine the effects of high-dose propofol on the incidence of fasciculations and myalgia, and to evaluate changes in creatine kinase levels following the administration of succinylcholine in 90 women who underwent laparoscopy. Methods:

Patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups. Induction of anesthesia was performed with thiopentone 5 mg kg^-1 in Group I (n = 30), propofol 2 mg kg^-1 in Group II (n = 30), and propofol 3.5 mg kg^-1 in Group III (n = 30). Then succinylcholine 1 mg kg^-1 was administered to the patients for intubation. Results:

Fasciculation was absent in 20% of Group III patients, and no vigorous fasciculation occurred in this group. Furthermore, the severity of fasciculation in Group III was significantly lower than in the other two groups (P = 0.01). Seventy per cent of patients had no myalgia in Group III, 39.2% in Group II and 37% in Group I (P = 0.007). Severity of myalgia was also significantly lower in Group III compared with the other two groups (P = 0.011). Post-operative creatine kinase levels were significantly higher than their baseline values in Groups I and II (P < 0.0001). Conclusion:

Administration of propofol 3.5 mg kg^-1 is effective in reducing fasciculations and myalgia after succinylcholine.

Keywords: Anesthetics; propofol; complications; fasciculations, myalgia; neuromuscular relaxants; suxamethonium

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1034/j.1399-6576.2003.00052.x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Anesthesiology, Dicle University Hospital, Diyarbakir, Turkey

Publication date: 2003-02-01